The trust’s annual program of Winter Debate Gathering of Kagyu Institutes of Buddhist studies for a period of a month commenced on 31st December 2024 at Vajra Vidya Institute, Sarnath, U.P, with participation from 9 Kagyu institutes from Himalayan regions.

The trust covers all expenses related to the program, including travels, meals, medical care, accommodation and the overall well being of participants.

This years program is hosted and coordinated by Vajra Vidhya Institute at their campus, participated by 750 students and masters from following institues; Karmae Shri Nalanda Institute, Lungrik Jampal Ling, Rigpe Dorje Institute, Lungtok Norbu Gatsal, Obar Chime Ling Buddhist Institute, Samdrup Dargaye Ling Shedra, Karma Lekshey Ling, Lungtok Chokyi Gatsal and Vajra Vidya Institute

The inaugural ceremony took place at the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, located near the great Dhamekh Stupa, where Lord Buddha first turned the Wheel of Dharma. During the ceremony khenpos offered a new set of silk robes and bowls of traditional offerings to the golden image of Shakyamuni Buddha while reciting the Sutra of Turning the Wheel of Dharma.

During the program, participants are divided into groups for inter group debate completion on various topics in Buddhist philosophy. The debates focus on the topics which form the monastic curriculum and reflect all levels of the students in shedra (institute) from beginner to advanced. The advance level topics includes Validity (Tsema) and Prajnaparamita (Pharchin), while beginner-level topics cover Collected Topics (Dudra), Types of Evidence (Tarig) and Mind and Awareness (Lorig).

The program was graced by numerous eminent dignitaries on various occasions as guest of honor like Mr. Keshav Prasad Maurya the Deputy C.M of U.P, Mr. Ashok Tiwar, the mayor of Varanasi Municipal cooperation and Mr. Justice Vinod Diwakar of Allahabad High Court.

On January 7 2025, in accordance with His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogen Trinley Dorje’s instruction, all the khenpos, teachers and students held special prayers for the victims and those effected by the devastating earthquake in the Dingri region of Tibet. For day wise detail log on to http://kagyugunchoe.com/

The final three days of the program focused on the conference “Producing Critical Editions of the Eight Great Texts on Sutra and Tantra.” The program concluded on January 29, 2025, with the announcement of competition results and the distribution of certificates, medals, and prizes by the chief guest, Wangchuk Negi, Vice Chancellor of the Central University for Tibetan Studies.